Art of Love - Ovid Essay - 1256 Words

The Art of Love Framing for a Misogynist The poetry of Ovid exemplified in The Art of Love is one of the only examples of the contemporary social behavior exhibited during the time of Rome. Ovid writes about social activities, proper style, women, and how to obtain them. Through Ovid’s perspective, there are three different ways to consider a woman. These three views include relating a woman to a game, a beautiful treasure, and as a means to assert social status. Comparatively, Andreas Capellanus writes in a way that makes women seem respected, worthy and as something to a man would willingly devote his life to. Both men have a clear fascination with women and their relationship to men. However, their distinct writing styles cause†¦show more content†¦The view Ovid takes on women is not always clear. In some passages he has a violent perspective on women. Ovid writes about how he easily could have taken advantage of women, displaying a negative viewpoint of ownership towards females. Similarly he says â€Å"never a virgin there was free from the lust of a hand†, which shows that men desire women, and a virgin is held as a high prize, one that is worth committing the act of adultery for (Art 1. 89-126). On the other end, Capellanus views the trophy of virginity as futile and counters that while you know â€Å"some other man is enjoying the embraces of your beloved, this will make you begin to value her solaces all the more† (2.2, 3). Furthermore, he makes the argument against adultery, again opposing the views of Ovid. Capellanus explains his argument in detail by stating that a man in love is adorned â€Å"with the virtue of chastity, because he who shines with the light of one love can hardly think of embracing another woman, even a beautiful one† (1.4, 2). Contrary to many men who believe that a man must be strong and not show a woman his tenderness, Ovid shares his heart, saying, â€Å"do not think it a shame to suffer her blows or her curses; do not think it a shame, stooping, to kiss her feet† (Art 2. 522-553) . This is simply an outstanding statement, as it serves to show the true emotion and character of Ovid. This statement cannot be taken lightlyShow MoreRelatedPlatoï ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½s Symposium, And Ovids The Art Of Love1109 Words   |  5 Pagesphilosophers once said when asked to explain what love is, â€Å"[it] is of all passions the strongest, for it attacks simultaneously the head, the heart and the senses.† Since the beginning of time, writers and philosophers have been trying to discover the origins of this â€Å"attack,† and many attribute different reasons for this immense feeling. In both Plato’s Symposium, and Ovid’s The Art of Love, Aristophanes and Ovid attempt to address the genesis of love by asking: what is the feeling that drives us towardsRead MoreArt of Love744 Words   |  3 PagesThe Art of Love, written by Ovid, was a set of three books, the first being a guide or rule book on how to â€Å"pick-up† women and the second book a rule book on how to keep the woman you have or â€Å"caught† satisfied and interested in you. The third and final book that he wrote was written for women on what to do to catch and keep a man, since he felt it was only fair for women to also be â€Å"armed† when it comes to picking- up men. 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These fates take the form of physical alterattions. Often people transform into flora, fauna, or different human forms. In Metamorphoses the metaphors utilized by Ovid involve the natural world. These mataphors are natural for us to understand because nature is a common reference point for us all. While Ovid’s meaning behind the forms he chooses in his transformations seem simple, recognizing why characters are transformedRead More Augustan Poetry Essay830 Words   |  4 PagesPoetry Often through hardship and nearly insurmountable difficulty great works of art are born. Although years of bloodshed and civil war had plagued Rome since the death of Julius Caesar, some of the most powerful and influential literature in the western world was developed in that timeframe. During the Age of Augustus (approximately 43 BC – 17 AD) such great writers as Virgil, Horace, Livy, Propertius, and Ovid created epic masterpieces of literature and philosophy. It was through the collectiveRead MoreReflection Of Ovids Metamorphoss1330 Words   |  6 Pagespreceded it by twenty-one years, it is elusive and ironic, mythic rather than historical, and, as its name suggests, continually shifting its shape. Rather than chronicling and celebrating the monumentality of Rome and the grandeur of its emperor, Ovid here examines and reflects upon the passions and inner strengths and weaknesses of individuals. The Metamorphoses is a collection of tales rather than one complex story or se t of adventures. Many scholars argue that it is unified by the recurring themesRead MoreEros : Female Souls Thriving And Crumbling1735 Words   |  7 PagesEros: Female Souls Thriving and Crumbling The term â€Å"Eros,† referring to passionate love in English, has long been the mainstream of themes in drama, literature, arts, and cinematic media. The fascinating power of love has been exhaustively publicized, and the pursuit of love is diffused in streets and lanes. Conversely, in ancient times, many poets, especially Virgil, Ovid and Apuleius, described eros as such an evil spirit that it will destroy the female soul thoroughly, except for the one inRead MoreThe Art of Courtly Love, Consolation of Philosophy, and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight1454 Words   |  6 PagesThe Art of Courtly Love, Consolation of Philosophy, and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Part 1: Consolation of Philosophy, written by Boethius 1. Boethius was a popular member of the senatorial family. He was a philosopher that agreed with Plato that government should be solely in the hands of wise men. After becoming consul, charges of treason were brought against him. He lived in a time in Roman society when everyone was mainly Christian. He was an Arian Christian and believed that Christ